Winch recommendations

Looking to add a winch setup to my 2017 trd sport with a CBI T3 aluminum bumper... lets face it, I dont wheel ever but have always wanted a truck with a bumper and a winch. So looking to be very cost effective as well as lightweight since my bumper will be aluminum and keeping the front end lighter is fine. Any decent winches out there that dont weigh much and go well with the cbi t3

 

The problem with an “cost effective” winch is will it work if you ever need it. I have an Engo 10000S. After 4 years I had to replace the solenoid box. It got flooded with water and corroded. $70 bucks of parts on a $400 winch. If I was doing it again I would pay the $800 to get a Warn.

 

Smittybilt X20 10K, it's affordable like $550 with synthetic line, waterproof, lightweight, remote handle works great

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Smittybilt...087?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10#viTabs_0

 

you can get the Warn VR 10 for $600... wait until eBay does a 15% coupon code and get it for cheaper....

then just purchase a synthetic line if that's the route you want to go

but I say you cant beat the reliability / durability of Warn

 

Buy a dead winch. Gut out the internals to save weight. Pose away. You’ll never use it.

 

not a bad alternate plan....

 

Maybe just fairlead and hook then? Saves money and weight

 

VR aren't really WARN, they're China shit

 

Get the smitty x20, waterproof winch with synthetic line.

The warn vr is a nice cost effective winch but after i drove through a bad rainstorm it didnt work. Shop said internals got wet.

If you have the money, warn zeon is a very nice winch and will last as long as the truck in theory. But $$$

Discount bandit sometimes has the smitty for really cheap.
https://www.discountbandit.com/vehi...ccessories/smittybilt-x2o-10-winch-98510.html

 

+1 on Smittybilt X20 10K w/ Synthetic rope.

 

This is the one I am going for as well...hopefully it will fit in my TJM bumper with no problems!

 

It’s fairly small and has a remote

 

I have been researching for a while. I have read HUNDREDS of reviews and not one bad one yet. Just need to do some creative financing so the Wife doesn't notice lol.

I think it will fit nicely.

 

IT really sucks when you have a winch and need it to find it is not working.. i bought a warm m8000s thinking i was all set, 2yrs in the motor died, when i opened it up it was clean and dry. no apparent reason for it failing. warn rep said he was happy to sell me a new motor, i laughed and said not a chance, i would try my luck with a different brand, this prompted him to send me a free motor. now since putting it back together i have not needed it once! i may have just had a rare occurrence with my warn.. overall the service was ok after a bit of dickering back and forth.

anyway if you really want light and what should be top quality warn makes a nice small light compact winch for rock crawling competitions, iirc it is about 50lbs with the included synthetic cable. it is even bright red!

 

Yeah I read a lot of reviews, and too many Warn winches shitting the bed recently. So, I went with the Smittybilt.

 

They’re all made in China or in US with Chinese parts so I went with the cheapest name brand synthetic rope Winch with good reviews

 

Sounds like you will very rarely use the winch. I recommend a steel cable winch. Steel cable requires almost no maintenance and will hold up to dirt, mud and weather much better than synthetic line.

The one time you go to use your winch you may snap a synthetic line.

Unless you plan on using it a lot I would go steel.

One warn is 15 years old without a single issue and the other is just over 10 years and I use it all the time, surprisingly I winch more people than myself.

 

harbor freight

no but really. Ive had 3. none of them have failed me. one on a Suzuki samurai which saved it a couple times. one on a car hauler that is still chooching to this day with its new owner and one on my jeep that got some use.

I also dont live in the rust belt or where it is overly wet so your mileage may vary.

Also best if its a hidden winch so you don't get laughed at.

 

I suggest going synthetic line. Id rather not have any lines snap but if there is a snap, id rather have synthetic snap on me than steel.

 

Winch lines snap due to lack of maintenance or abuse.

For steel you just throw a blanket or some weight on it.